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NOVA scienceNOW: Profile: Judah Folkman
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Viewing Ideas
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Before Watching
Watch profiles of scientists and identify the traits that helped them succeed. The segment tells the story of Dr. Judah Folkman. He, like many other prominent, influential scientists, faced considerable obstacles during his career. Divide the class into teams and have each one watch a NOVA scienceNOW profile (see below) on an innovative scientist. Each is engaged in research that's often described as groundbreaking and ahead of its time. Have teams note the following information:
- Scientist's name
- Science or engineering field
- What the scientist works on
- Significant challenges or obstacles for the scientist
- How he or she dealt with and overcame the challenges
Suggested profiles:
Have teams share their findings. As a class, identify a common set of traits and attitudes that enable a scientist to persist through the challenges he or she faces. After viewing the Folkman segment, revisit this list and discuss how applicable it is to Folkman and his work. (See After Watching question 1.)
Research the differences between "healthy" and cancerous cells. Judah Folkman was a surgeon and cancer researcher whose goal was to understand and find treatments for cancer. Help students understand how cancerous and noncancerous cells differ by providing them with a chart like the one below. However, only provide them the headings. Have them research the topic and complete the chart. Then draw the headings on the board and fill the chart in as a class.
|
Typical Cells |
Cancer Cells |
| Cell replication |
Cells divide and die in a predictable manner. They divide more rapidly before adulthood is reached. Then, cells stop dividing unless tissue needs repair. |
Cells divide haphazardly and uncontrolled. They outlive normal cells and keep creating abnormal cells. |
| DNA |
DNA functions normally. In general, when DNA is damaged, it is repaired. |
DNA may be damaged and/or the molecular mechanism to repair it may also be damaged. Damaged DNA can be inherited, or damage can occur after exposure to toxins. |
| Organization |
In general, cells look the same, and they don't invade other tissue types. |
Cells are disorganized and often malfunctioning. They often, but not always form a mass or tumor. Some tumors travel to other parts of the body and grow on other tissues. |
Extension: After reviewing the chart, have the class watch the video clip at: pbs.org/wgbh/nova/cancer/media/cells_clip01.html to see the role blood vessels play in tumor growth. Tell students that in the early 1970s Dr. Folkman proposed that blood vessels played a role in tumor growth.
After Watching
Revisit Before Watching Question #1. Have the class discuss the obstacles Judah Folkman confronted in his work and how his combination of persistence, vision, and imagination helped him overcome those challenges. (He saw a connection between tumors and blood supply that others dismissed. He was convinced that understanding this link offered vital clues to better understanding cell growth, tumors, cancer, and the growth of blood vessels. Ultimately, his work informed many areas of science. His story is one of imagination that enabled him to see things in new ways, dedication to ideas he believed in, and courage in the face of ridicule.)
Model angiogenesis. Angiogenesis is a multistep process that results in the body forming new networks of blood vessels. Help students understand the process by making a 3D model together as a class, following the steps below. Alternatively, make a handout and have student teams make their own models.
- Place a thin layer of clay on the bottom of a tray to represent tissue.
- Fashion a 6-inch cross section of a blood vessel out of clay. Run it up one side of the tray.
- On the opposite side of the tray, place a walnut-sized piece of clay to represent a tumor.
- Label the blood vessel and the tumor cells using toothpicks and paper labels.
- Discuss the process of angiogenesis, using the model.
- A tumor secretes a protein (angiogenic growth factor) that diffuses into the surrounding tissue.
- The protein binds to specific sites on the inner wall (endothelium) of nearby blood vessels.
- Binding causes endothelial cells to make an enzyme that dissolves tiny holes in the covering of the blood vessels.
- The endothelial cells lining the blood vessel divide and move out through the dissolved holes of the vessel toward the tumor.
- Specialized molecules serve as hooks and help pull the sprouting new blood vessel toward the tumor.
- Enzymes are produced that dissolve the tissue in front of the sprouting blood vessel tip to make room for it. As the vessel extends, the tissue is remolded around the vessel.
- Individual blood vessel tubes connect to form blood vessel loops that can circulate blood throughout the tumor.
Make posters about diseases where angiogenesis plays a role. Assign students one of the following diseases: diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, macular degeneration, or lung cancer. Have them research the following questions and information, include diagrams, and present their work in a poster. Display student posters.
- What is the condition or disease?
- Where in the body does the disease manifest itself?
- How is the disease manifested?
- What is the role of genetics in the disease?
- What is the role of the environment in the disease?
- What is the role angiogenesis in the disease?
Web Sites
NOVA scienceNOW
pbs.org/nova/sciencenow/0306/04.html
Offers resources related to Judah Folkman and angiogenesis, including additional activities, streamed video, and reports by experts.
Cancer Warrior
pbs.org/wgbh/nova/cancer/
Includes an interview with Judah Folkman as well as information on his life and work.
National Cancer Institute: Targeted Cancer Therapies
cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Therapy/targeted
Describes angiogenesis inhibitors and how they target cancer.
NIH Fact Sheet on Age-Related Macular Degeneration
nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/MacularDegeneration.pdf
Presents information about macular degeneration and treatment for it including angiogenesis inhibitors.
National Cancer Institute Understanding Cancer: Angiogenesis
cancer.gov/cancertopics/UnderstandingCancer/angiogenesis
Explains cancer and provides detailed information about angiogenesis.
The Angiogenesis Foundation
angio.org/
Includes basic facts about angiogenesis and its relationship to cancer.
Books
Eyewitness Great Scientists
by Jacky Fortey.
Dorling Kindersley, 2007.
Profiles 30 influential scientists and describes their work.
The Visual Dictionary of Human Anatomy
by Richard Walker.
Dorling Kindersley, 1996.
Includes detailed drawings of endothelial tissue, blood vessels, and the circulatory system.
Activity Author
John Glyphis, Ph.D., MPA is a biologist who consults on and writes about science in education and public policy.
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